NYC Marathon...prelude

I’ve had a terrible knot in my stomach for the past five days as my mind and heart grapple with the events that have unfolded. I will tell you now that I have made my decision and I will be running the marathon on Sunday. This decision has not come easily or lightly and I feel that I needed to write this post both for my own therapy and to respond to the community at large who are either for or against the race being held.

Should they have canceled the marathon? Maybe. Actually, yes, they probably should have. But they didn’t and the city is passionately divided.  I get it.  I understand why people are furious at the thought of holding such a massive and demanding event just days after Sandy’s devastation. People are experiencing tremendous lose and unimaginable hardship. My heart aches for those people.  Unless you are one of those, no one can possible understand what it is they are facing.

And yet, despite the obvious controversy and less obvious benefit, Mayor Bloomberg made the decision that the race was to go on. For my own sake and the sake of the city, I have to believe that this decision was made in the best interest of everyone. He’s not the kind of guy that pussy foots around or pulls punches, so if he really didn’t think the race was a good idea, I know he would not have given the go ahead. That said, I’m certain his decision was nearly 100% financial, but in no way malicious or disrespectful. I do believe he thinks the race will provide much needed influx of dollars and, hopefully, bring some cheer, camaraderie and a bit of lightness back to the streets.

Like I said, I get why this is so upsetting for some. I truly, truly do.  But please don’t blame the runners. We are not trying to make it harder on the people of New York. We simply pursuing our passion and have worked too damn hard to get here. But many, if not all, runners recognize the gift we are receiving and are extend are gratitude. At it’s most superficial level, running a marathon is an entirely selfish endeavor.  But I would argue that is not the case. Many runners are running for local charities and have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for causes that are much bigger than us. Many are running in honor of someone they’ve lost or are losing. Many are running to show their children what can be accomplished with enough hard work and belief if yourself. Many are running simply to fulfill a promise to themselves. And while the reasons for toeing the line on Sunday are many, I can guarantee you that every single runner has the city of New York and the shores of New Jersey in their hearts and on their minds. We are grateful and humbled for the opportunity to run the race this year.

For those of you that continue to seethe, I apologize on behalf of all marathoners. But I also have a suggestion for you. Why not turn that negative energy into something good? Stop wasting time bitching about why the race should not go on. Stop lambasting the runners and criticizing NYRR and Mayor Bloomberg. AND START HELPING OUT! Step away from Facebook and Twitter and figure out how to volunteer or your money. Don’t watch, support or even acknowledge the marathon. Instead spend those hours donating your time, your money or both. Turn your malevolence into benevolence. It’s better for everyone.

So I will run. I will run because I have worked my ass off to get here and because it really is more than just a race to me. I will run for Team Continuum and my friends and family who donated over $5,000 to this cause on my behalf. I will race for my sister and her family who have suffered through and after this storm.  I will race for New York and New Jersey. And when I’m done, I will roll up my sleeves and do what I can to help.